J.C. PENNEY IS SEARCHING FOR NEW CHIEF MERCHANT, SOURCES SAY

J.C. Penney Co. is looking for a new chief merchant, people familiar with the situation said.

The executive would succeed Elizabeth H. Sweney, who has held the retailer’s top merchandising job since early 2012.

It isn’t clear whether the retailer has picked a successor yet, nor whether the newcomer would come from outside Penney. But the company expects an announcement early Wednesday morning that “does relate to the chief merchant role,” one person familiar with the matter said. This person declined further comment.

Ms. Sweney, 61 years old, was unavailable for comment on Tuesday.

Marvin Ellison, who took the helm of Penney on Aug. 1, has been recruiting a new merchant and approached some retail-industry veterans, another person familiar with the matter said earlier this week. Mr. Ellison wants someone with extensive merchandising experience, partly because he lacks that, this person added.

Write to Joann S. Lublin at joann.lublin@wsj.com

Breaking the story

Joann S. Lublin was first to report on Sept. 22 that J.C. Penney was looking to replace its chief merchant, Elizabeth Sweney, according to sources. Early the next morning, the company confirmed the news naming John Tighe as the new chief merchant. Mr. Tighe, recently a senior vice president, will assume the new role on Oct. 1.

Timeline

September 22, 2015, 8:27

J.C. Penney Is Searching For New Chief Merchant, Sources Say

September 22, 2015, 8:27

Elizabeth Sweney Held J.C. Penney’s Top Merchandising Job Since Early 2012

Subscribe to Press Releases

Email *Please fill in the required field. By clicking submit, I agree to the Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy and I understand I will receive marketing communications from Dow Jones professional information products from which I may unsubscribe using the links provided.

Thank you

Thank you for subscribing, your information has been submitted successfully.